Dear Editor,
Every day animals lie dead on our roadways. Oftentimes, I see horses with broken limbs that have not properly healed, causing them pain to put their weight on the injured limbs to move around for food and safety. It is extremely sad to see that there are cases of injured horses being forced to pull loaded carts. Horse-drawn carts are an unnecessary cruelty that society can do without. Everyday these animals are forced to work in all kinds of weather. You all can agree that the heat in Guyana is unbearable on most days and barely so on others. They are forced to work through this, lashed mercilessly if they don’t, they have to dodge traffic, and put up with insufferable owners, all day long. Then, when they’re not being “put to use”, they’re left to roam about in the days and evenings on the same roadways, causing accidents and deaths that could have been prevented if they just had responsible owners.
Horses are sensitive animals, that breathe, that bleed, that have feelings. They are living creatures. Why then do we have to abuse them till their dying day? If they are afforded protection or there is provision for them under federal law, then please enlighten me, so that we can try harder to hold the owners and relevant authorities accountable for better welfare for these animals. If you know, then please assist in enlightening me, are horses considered as property under the law? Are there any provisions when they are old, injured or spent? Can we create a facility, something, anything so that these animals can live out the remainder of their days in safety and comfort?
I am willing to get behind a project like this but I will need the right guidance. As bad as it sounds, many may consider it cost-prohibitive to care for an animal who isn’t bringing in revenue, completely disregarding all the years of loyal service the animal had already provided, so the fate of discarded horses is grim. What I now need to know is: Can we collaboratively (and legally) sponsor a ban? I understand that some will be for, while some will be against. I understand this is the only means of income for some people. I also do understand that 1 out of every 100 horse owners will properly care for their animals. But unless we step up and start acting, stop turning a blind eye, and unless we start advocating for them, then we will continue to see these animals dead on our roadways, and they will continue to be a hazard to road users.
Sincerely,
Diana Ahmad
